Calathea plant named `Silvia`

ABSTRACT

A Calathea plant named `Silvia` having oval leaves. Young leaves have a purple-red center and mature leaves are bright green with weak purple-red strips parallel to the primary veins which are close to the base of the leaf. The center is bordered by a very dark green margin. The lower side is dull purple-red.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Calathea,botanically known as Calathea roseo picta and referred to by thecultivar named `Silvia.`

The new cultivar is a random mutation and was discovered and selectedfrom a group of C. roseo picta in April 1989 in Schipluiden, TheNetherlands, by the inventor Magdalena J. M. van Rijn.

Propagation by tissue culture at the above noted location increased thenumber of plants for evaluation and has demonstrated the stability ofthe combination of characteristics of `Silvia` from generation togeneration.

The following observations, measurements and values were taken at's-Gravenzande, The Netherlands, and describe plans grown in the NurserySchipluiden under greenhouse conditions which closely approximate thosegenerally used in horticultural practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed to be characteristicswhich in combination distinguish `Silvia` from others of the samespecies.

1. The plant produces leaves with dark green veins and the midrib ispurple-red. The margin is green which becomes darker green towards thecenter of the leaf. The outermost margin of the leaf is purple-red.

2. The amount of purple-red in the center of the leaves varies with theage and maturity of the plant, from entirely purple when juvenile itbecomes bright green with stains of purple-red around the primary veinswhen mature. The lower side of the leaves is dull purple-red.

All color references are to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart(R.H.S.). The color values were determined between 12:00 h and 12:30 hon Apr. 7, 1995 under natural light with a light intensity of 1210 J/m²at 's-Gravenzande, The Netherlands.

Phenotypic characteristics may vary somewhat depending on horticuluralpractices such as light level and fertilization rate, among others,without, however, any variance in genotype.

In the accompanying color photographic drawings, a representative plantof `Silvia`, age 9.5 months, grown in a 19 cm pot, is shown.

Sheet 1 is a top perspective of the plant.

Sheet 2 is a top/side perspective.

Sheet 3 is a side perspective.

Sheet 4 shows the upper surface of a young leaf.

Sheets 5 and 6 show the upper surfaces of young to mature leaves.

Finally, sheet 7 shows the upper surface of a mature leaf of `Silvia`.

Origin: Mutation of Calathea roseo picta.

Classification: Calathea roseo picta, cv. Silvia`.

Propagation: Asexual production either by tissue culture of division.

Plant: Age: 9.5 months Pot size: 19 cm.

Height.--45-51 cm.

Width.--46-56 cm.

Branching.--Good.

Growth habit.--Compact.

Leaves:

Form.--Ovate, mucronulate tip, entire margins.

Size.--Mature about 25 cm long×14 cm wide.

Petiole.--Size: Approximately 23 cm-28 cm. Color: R.H.S. 187 A,purple-red.

Petiole wings.--Size: Approximately 10 cm long, and 10 mm wide. Color:R.H.S. 187 C (purple-red).

Geniculum.--Size: 30-40 mm long and 5-7 mm wide. Color: R.H.S. 177 A.

Veins.--Shape: Upper surface: Midrib sunken, leaf blade slightly concavebetween veins. Lower surface: Midrib protrudes from the lower surface.Color: Midrib at the base is purple-red becoming brighter red toward theleaf tip. Primary veins are dark green.

Color.--Upper surface: Young Margin: R.H.S. 136 A, very dark green. Leafcenter: R.H.S. 59 C, purple-red with stains of R.H.S. 191 B, brightgreen. Mature Margin: Outermost margin R.H.S. 137 A, dark green. Leafcenter: R.H.S. 139 D, bright green with strips or R.H.S. 59 C,purple-red. Midrib: R.H.S. 59 B, brown-red. Lower surface: R.H.S. 187 A,dull purple-red. Midrib: R.H.S. 175 A-177 A, brown-red. Margin: R.H.S.187 A, dull purple-red.

Roots: Thin white roots.

General observation: Calathea `Silvia` has oval leaves. Young leaveshave purple-red center, and mature leaves are bright green with weakpurple-red strips parallel to the primary veins which are close to thebase of the leaf. The center is bordered by a very dark green margin.The lower side is dull purple- red.

    ______________________________________                                        CLOSEST COMPARISON CULTIVAR                                                                Cultivar      Cultivar                                           Characteristic                                                                             `Rosy`        `Silvia`                                           ______________________________________                                        Leaf form    orbicular     oval                                               Leaf tip     mucronate     mucronulate                                        Plant height 12 to 15 cm   45 to 51 cm                                        Geniculum    approximately 30 to 40 mm                                        length:      13 mm                                                            ______________________________________                                    

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Calathea plant named`Silvia,` as illustrated and described.